March 2011

22 March 2011

Well, just when I thought that I was going to be pregnant forever, my waters broke on Monday, 7th February. I was 38+4 weeks pregnant. At that stage I did not quite get round to packing my hospital bag so, in between a quick text message to hubby and my parents, I had to force myself to stay focussed and get those bags packed.

I was examined at the hospital but as I was not dilated, they were not sure that it was my waters even though I knew that it was. I was sent home and they arranged an ultrasound scan for the next day. I started to have contractions that evening and got very little sleep. The next day I had the scan and was told that there was still 'enough' waters around the baby. The doctors were going to send me home based on this information but I could still feel my waters leaking so, they decided to do another check when they found that it was my waters all along! That was such a relief. I still wasn't really dilating so arrangements were made to induce me the next day. Another sleepless night with irregular contractions followed.

The house was a building site while all this was going on. Here I am standing on the morning of my induction in what will eventually be our kitchen. More on that in another post.

We went and had a quick breakfast at McDonalds and then headed over to the hospital. The first few hours was pretty uneventful but my contractions quickly became more painful.

I had a midwife who was very proud to announce that she was 'old-school' and this seemed to mean that she did not believe in pain relief or showing any sympathy or caring towards her patient. She was a retired midwife who only worked when the hospital was short staffed. Hubby asked her several times to give me something for the pain but she was not willing to do so.

It was only late that evening when they staff changed shifts that the anaethesist was called that I requested an epidural. This only worked for a few hours and then started to wear out on the side of my body. My contractions became stronger and more regular but, I could not seem to get past 3 cms dilated. The baby was closely monitored due to her heart defect but she did not show any signs of distress for which I was grateful. The decision was eventually made to give me a csection as it had been over 48 hours since my waters broke and I was not making any further progress. To be honest, I was so relieved to know that this ordeal would end soon.

Isla's first little cough and cry was the most beautiful sound we have ever heard. Daddy got to hold her first and he looked so proud.

There was a Registrar and a Pediatrician present at the birth and Isla was quickly taken to Special Care for close monitoring and further investigations due to her heart defect. She stayed in hospital for a week before we could finally take her home.

Isla has been doing surprisingly well. She will definitely require surgery as the hole in her heart is big. We have been told that she is at risk of heart failure, but so far she has not shown any signs of this. We are taking one day at a time and enjoying being a mummy and a daddy to this gorgeous little angel. I can't believe that she will be six weeks old this week.

03 March 2011

Our beautiful baby girl, Isla Niamh Rose was born on the 10th February. Her names are pronounced Eye-la, Neve.

Isla is a Scottish name which means 'Island' which felt appropriate after our holiday to Hawaii and the significance it had for us as a couple after hubby's recovery from cancer.

Niamh is an Irish name which means 'daughter of the sea'. It seemed fitting with the first name but also because we wanted an Irish name as hubby's mum was Irish.

Rose is one of my favourite flowers and a pretty English name.

The photos were taken when Isla was 8 days old. Her uncle is a professional photographer and took some beautiful photos when Isla came home from hospital. Sean's work can be seen at www.gertlushphotography.co.uk

The story about her birth will follow once I can locate the cable to upload the photos to my computer. I also have plenty to share about the house renovations and the progress made so far.